Project partners

The Scottish Beaver Trial is a partnership project between the Scottish Wildlife Trust, The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and Forestry Commission Scotland. The partnership brings together three leading organisations who champion nature conservation, initiate pioneering scientific research and inspire people to care for Scotland’s wildlife.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust is a membership-based charity with over 30,000 members throughout Scotland. The Trust seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages 120 wildlife reserves throughout Scotland, including Knapdale Forest – the home of the Scottish Beaver Trial – in partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has been working to promote the awareness and conservation of rare and endangered animals for over 100 years. In addition to managing Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park, the Society supports a wide variety of global research and conservation projects – including successful species reintroductions in Scotland (Canna mouse) and the Mexican coast (Socorro dove).

Forestry Commission Scotland manages the land on which the Scottish Beaver Trial took place, Knapdale Forest. Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Government’s forestry directorate and is responsible for the protection and expansion of Scotland's forests and woodlands in order to increase their value to society and the environment.

Independent monitors

The Scottish Government asked Scottish Natural Heritage to co-ordinate the independent scientific monitoring of the Trial. SNH also monitored whether the conditions of the licence were being fully addressed on the ground. The Trial was a major contribution to Scotland’s Species Action Framework, which sets out a strategic approach to species management in Scotland.